Like an old Ronald Reagan commercial: It’s morning again for Astros

There is a different air surrounding the Astros this spring. Just call it a breath of fresh air.

Will they win the NL Central or the World Series? Probably not, but there is a quiet confidence brewing in Astros land. The second guessers and naysayers are fewer and farther between. The rants and raves have softened and the chorus of hecklers has dwindled to a minor discord. To be sure, the skeptics may not have been turned yet, but many have been stilled by the activity this spring from management, both on the field and off.

This time last year, fans were kicking around Nelson Figueroa and J.R. Towles, lamenting the Bill Hall and Clint Barmes signings, wondering who would own the Astros “next” spring and preparing to enter the Astroholics Anonymous program. The “Fire Brad Mills Now!” catcalls were growing in number and Ed Wade was in full defense mode (Hall, Barmes, Wandy’s new deal et al).

What a difference a year makes. There seems to be little acrimony this spring. Call it a honeymoon for Jeff Luhnow or a quiet confidence that the team is actually in good hands and headed in the right direction, albeit at a slow pace.

The organization isn’t taking chances with unproven, unnecessary retreads. Players like Jason Michaels and Figueroa aren’t hanging on for one more tour. In another era (ahem), Jack Cust and Zach Duke may have found their way in Houston come late next week. Now, it seems that most the Astros who will be on the final 25-man roster will will earn their way there.

Retreads, in some cases, yes. But Lucas Harrell and Livan Hernandez are standing on their own and making it difficult for Brad Mills and Luhnow. And how’s that Mark Melancon trade (Kyle Weiland, Jed Lowrie) working out for ya now?

Perhaps the biggest ah-hah of the spring is this: If Weiland or Livan Hernandez don’t pan out, there are actually others waiting in the wings. Namely Paul Clemens and probably Jordan Lyles. Jimmy Paredes and perhaps J.B. Shuck will be tuning up as well. This time next year we’ll be talking Jarred Cosart, Jonathan Singleton, Jonathan Villar and Brett Oberholtzer and wondering when George Springer and Delino Deshields will be ready.

The conversation is changing like the modulation in a Barry Manilow song. To borrow a line from the 1984 Ronald Reagan commercials from 1984: “It’s morning again!”